Mike Rogers Rains Fire on Conservative Radio

Those who attack the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Mark
Levin – as too conservative, too vitriolic, or simply unhinged – have
that right, even if, as is so often the case, they rely on others rather
than listen to the shows themselves. That’s what liberals do.

There are pretenders to the throne of conservative talk radio who claim
to be so much less “poisonous” and stupid than Limbaugh, Hannity, Levin
et al – and travel the same character-assassination route. Congressman
Mike Rogers told The New York Times he’s retiring in January to join
Cumulus Radio for a national show because “I think there is room for a
more productive, you-might-actually-learn-something kind of talk radio
in the marketplace.”

Mike Rogers, call your office.

Rogers is such a genius he thinks you launch a career in conservative
talk radio by pandering to The New York Times. The article begins with
Rogers denouncing all those members of Congress “who would rather raise
their profiles and get into the media” than pass legislation. Rogers is
so dense he can’t see that he’s denouncing the very road he’s walking
down.

Mark Leibovich of the Times described conservative talk radio as a set
of “delirium bins,” nudging Rogers to add, “I’m a bit of a canary in a
coal mine. And I am hoping I don’t choke on fumes at the bottom of the
shaft.” So: talk radio is a dark cave, full of noxious gases. That
attitude surely will win audiences over.

Rogers also promoted himself to the Associated Press with a similar
line of trash-talking malarkey. Unlike Rush, Sean, and Mark, he will be
“a productive conservative host, with smart controversy, smart debate.”

What Rogers doesn’t see is that he isn’t just insulting talk show
hosts. This “productive conservative host” is insulting his audience.
They are morons, knuckle-draggers unable to think for themselves, unable
to be smart. Yes, this is a man who will find a receptive audience on
talk radio.

Rogers is delusional. He even agreed with the Lansing News back in
Michigan that his radio show could make “a powerful launching pad for a
White House bid.” He insisted: "It worked for Ronald Reagan." Earth to
Rogers: Reagan didn’t become president by treating his audience like
under-educated dolts.

Welcome to the formula of that talk-radio juggernaut known as Joe
Scarborough. When his radio show failed, Cumulus Radio suggested it
would be back after a “brief hiatus.” That was in 2010. Perhaps Rogers
is Scarborough’s doppelganger – a former congressman who arrogantly
attacks his former colleagues in Congress, and then all his new
competitors on the AM dial, and then wonders why his friends have walked
away.

Cumulus is obsessed with finding a “reasonable” host to compete with
Team Rush. They tried Scarborough, and failed. They tried Mike Huckabee,
and failed. They tried Geraldo Rivera in a few major markets, and
that’s tanked. Then, for some weird reason, they replaced Hannity’s show
with the embarrassing Michael Savage – who is exactly the kind of
unproductive screamer that Rogers thinks he’s going to replace. His
numbers, too, are dropping.

Others have tried displacing conservative talk show hosts with liberals
like Mario Cuomo, Doug Wilder, Jim Hightower, and Ron Reagan. They have
one thing in common: All were fired.

Limbaugh has been the king for decades now. He is a broadcasting
legend. Hannity and Levin also have millions of loyal fans. But the
liberals and the “reasonable” people just don’t want to acknowledge
reality. In this business, it’s the market that decides. And this market
has embraced Limbaugh, Hannity, and Levin as emphatically as it has
rejected the pretenders.

America should thank her lucky stars for these radio stars that Rogers
disparages. They have done more than anyone to save this country and its
tradition of liberty.

Federal employees and military personnel can donate to the Media Research Center through the Combined Federal Campaign or CFC. To donate to the MRC, use CFC #12489. Visit the CFC website for more information about giving opportunities in your workplace.